Sherry Wityshyn

I am starting this gofundme for my very dear friend Sherry who was officially diagnosed with ALS in late 2015.   Sherry and her husband Doug have 4 amazing children.  Jennifer, Bree, Bradyn and Brooklyn.  Bradyn and Brooklyn are in high school and live at home. 
She is also a Grandma or should I say Sherma to Jenn's  children, Rylan, who passed away from childhood Cancer January 23, 2013 and will forever be in our hearts. 
Raeleigh and Ryler who bring her joy everyday.

To say that this disease has changed or impacted their lives is quite an understatment.  

Here is a post from Sherry's WordPress  from November, 2016
 
'So a little insight into ALS, Imagine for a moment not being able to do anything without assistance. Take a day and think about all the things you do, no matter how small, like bathroom break, showering,  hair, teeth, face, getting dressed, food, moving from one room or seat, dishes,  cooking,  eating, shopping, cleaning, answering phone, using remote, driving, opening doors, doing your paperwork, and handling objects small or large, just a few examples. NOW,  imagine always waiting for help, or for those around you to spare a moment to help or to question why you need to do that now…imagine never being able to do what you want, when you want without asking. I challenge you to try it for a few hours. I must admit coming  from a highly independent active person to this is enough to make you cuckoo never mind the personal humiliation of needing help with very personal care.

However,  I am lucky to have good daily homecare that assists while keeping my dignity intact. I read about people in the USA who struggle to get bathed once a month  (not a typo) and spend most days alone.  So I AM LUCKY TO HAVE HELP.  Thank you Canada . And I have wonderful family and friends who help in whatever way they can. Thank you 

So after trying my ALS insight challenge. ..now you know, this is where I’m at. My voice is quite slurred now (text, messenger or email work better than phone). I can walk a little but only with help, wheelchair is safer. I must use a straw as I can’t hold a cup. Getting up from seated requires assistance and getting in/out of vehicles can be a challenge. So me getting out is increasingly more difficult but I’m determined to keep going to my kids sports, attending functions and traveling as long as physically possible.  

Please take a moment to be thankful for what you have or what you are able to do, because it can all change in an instant without any warning or reason. 
we are facing and I have seen the toll it has taken, the worry, the struggles and uncertainty in their faces.'

You can read more on her blog www.witysherry.wordpress.com 
although she has not made an update for a while you will see a lot of what she went through last year. 

There have been many changes in her mobility since this post.  She is now using a voice machine that is controlled with her eyes (sorry I do not know what it is called) in order to continue to have conversations with family and friends.  This machine is a monthly rental.   Eating is also becoming very difficult.  Sherry has home care every day and relies on family for evenings.  It is Sherry's desire to be in her home as long as she can.  Her home is not wheelchair accesible although upgrades have been made to the bathroom.  There are many things that should have been done already but certainly further changes to the home are needed now.  I indicated a $5,000.00 amount at the onset of this Gofundme page but I honestly do not know what amount is needed.  There is a lot to be done. Even day to day things for Sherry.  Including the maintenance of her vehicle as it is a requirement of homecare that her vehicle is used for appointments.  Its all new to them and they are taking it one day at a time. 
Even though the family has resisted any help, there has been a lot of encouragement to do this and I want to thank everyone in advance for pushing to get this done.  On her blog it says "You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have". 

I have known this wonderful gal for many years and I can tell you that she is strong as hell and I am honoured to call her my friend.